State Representative
Betsy Coffia
Traverse City | 103rd House District
Serving 93,426 constituents in Acme Township, East Bay Township, Traverse City, Peninsula Township, Garfield Township, Long Lake Township, Almira Township, Platte Township, Empire Township, Glen Arbor Township, Cleveland Township, Kasson Township, Solon Township, Elmwood Township, Bingham Township, Centerville Township, Leland Township, Suttons Bay Township, Leelanau Township
BetsyCoffia@house.mi.gov
(517) 373-3817
Office: S-1387 House Office Building
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Betsy Coffia
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Stay Connected with
Betsy Coffia
During Voter Preregistration Week, I'm happy to share that my bill, HB 4569, which Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law, will help empower young Michiganders to have their voices heard and be involved in the democratic process. Even though they won't be able to cast their first vote until they are 18, preregistration helps increase turnout for their first election, regardless of affiliation.
Every eligible Michigander deserves equitable access to registering to vote. Participating in the democratic process is an amazing responsibility, which is why my bill gave access to preregistration for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Michigan 16-year-olds can preregister to vote. Here's how.
www.freep.com
Michigan 16-year-olds can preregister to vote so they can head straight to the polls at 18. Here's what to do to preregister.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
My first stand-alone bill last year addressed the inequity in rural school busing. Before my bill, rural school districts like TCAPS and Benzie Central had to spend as much as 10% - 15% of their general budget on gas and repairs for their buses, which generally have to drive significantly larger square mile bus routes than downstate school districts.
This leads to less money going into programming and support for our students in the classroom, such as art, music, mental health support and college prep, compared to downstate schools. My bill proposed a per pupil, per mile equity formula, and I succeeded in getting it into the school aid budget with a $125 million allocation for rural schools, which we ensured remained in place again this year.
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At today's House 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony, I'm joined by Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea. Sheriff Shea and I believe in working hard for our communities, leading by example and working across the aisle starting when I was a county commissioner.
For the last several years we've advocated together on critical issues like addiction and mental health treatment as well as measures to increase safety on our roadways. I was honored to have him as my guest as we remember the lives lost on 9/11 and honor the first responders we've lost over the past year here in Michigan.
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As a former Grand Traverse County Commissioner, I was honored to give my mid-year budget update to the board and the community. I was proud to pass a state budget that is #PuttingPeopleFirst by encompassing the needs of northern Michigan.
I also brought $5 million home to better attract and retain school workers through a new affordable housing project for local educators, $1 million for the Boardman River FishPass and $3.2 million to expand Michigan’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) sites.
1 CommentComment on Facebook
To watch my full presentation, visit my website at: housedems.com/betsy-coffia/gallery/.
I want to say a special thank you to John Despelder and Heather Kingham for organizing this lovely birthday surprise after I spoke at yesterday’s wonderful nonpartisan Celebration of Democracy at F&M Park with hundreds of neighbors. And thank you to Keli McIntosh for the delicious birthday cupcakes! This community kindness fueled me for the rest of the day! 🧁♥️(pics in comments.
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Birthday cupcakes! ♥️
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and I held a press conference last month to celebrate the passage of the fiscal year 2025 state budget and the inclusion of $5 million in state funding for affordable housing development for educators and school support staff in Grand Traverse County. My press release is below:
“Northern Michigan is grappling with a severe housing crisis, and that’s why creating more affordable housing in our communities has been my top priority since my first day in office,” Coffia said. “Not only does a lack of affordable housing have wide-reaching impacts on families and local businesses struggling to find workers, it also has a significant impact on our schools. There’s certainly more work to be done to fully address our region’s housing needs and to keep up our record investments in schools to get educators the raises they deserve, but this is a meaningful step in the right direction and will allow our schools to better attract and retain high-quality educators that will support our student’s success.”
The project will phase in affordable and mixed-income housing development to address the shortage of affordable housing available to educators and education support staff making 40%-80% of the area median income. The $5 million in state funding allocated toward the development will streamline and expedite the creation of at least 144 affordable and workforce housing units. Phase I will include the development of 72 one- and two-bedroom units, in addition to site preparation work on the 60- to 80-acre undeveloped property in Blair Township currently owned by Traverse City Area Public Schools. Subsequent phases will include the construction of additional units.
“I want to thank the leadership at TCAPS, Northwest Educational Services, Interlochen Center for the Arts and Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools for bringing this proposal to my attention, and Traverse Connect for stepping up to make this one of their top priorities,” Coffia continued. “Together, we brought this proposal to the members of the Appropriations committees and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office and advocated for its inclusion in the state budget all the way up to the budget vote in late June. State Representative John Roth (R-Interlochen) and state State Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) joined me in advocating hard for this critical project, and those bipartisan pushes were critical.”
“I was a big advocate for it in the Senate, but this was Rep. Coffia’s baby. There’s no question it was her top priority,” Damoose said when speaking with Interlochen Public Radio. “This is how it’s supposed to work. You hear so many good ideas, you wonder, are they ever going to actually happen? And this is one that’s going to actually happen.”
1 CommentComment on Facebook
When elected, I will support these types of housing development projects in my district on Michigan’s west shore.
Chi Miigwetch to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians tribal council for hosting me today to discuss opportunities for partnership as we serve our constituents. We touched on everything from speed limit safety to housing to dam removal to water levels and support for growth of Manoomin. Shown left to right:
Anna Miller - Tribal Council Secretary
Angelina Raphael - Tribal Councilor
Tina Frankenberger - Tribal Council Treasurer
Sandra Witherspoon - Tribal Chairwoman
Betsy Coffia - State Representative, 103rd House District
Donna Swallows - Tribal Councilor
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It was an honor to join Governor Gretchen Whitmer and State Senator John Damoose at Blair Elementary School - TCAPS to talk about the $5 million in funding I was able to bring home to create 72 affordable rental units for school employees. Northern Michigan is grappling with a severe housing crisis, and that's why creating more affordable housing in our communities has been my top priority since day 1 in office. When it comes to incoming educators fresh out of college, the reality is they can't afford a home. In Traverse City, the median home value is over $400,000, and the median rent is around $1,800 a month.
This funding couldn't have happened without the help from leadership and advocates at TCAPS, Northwest Educational Services, Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools. Traverse Connect stepped up to make this one of their top one-time budget asks. When our schools and businesses come together to better our community's future, we can make real, meaningful and lasting change.
There's certainly more work to be done to address our region's housing needs, but these investments are a step in the right direction!
Near Traverse City, Gov. Whitmer trumpets housing for school workers
radio.wcmu.org
Whitmer spoke on the playground of Blair Elementary School, just across the street from a planned development site for education workforce housing on land already owned by TCAPS.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Beautiful August evening to attend the Northwest Michigan County Farm Bureau annual meeting.
Chapter president David Dreves is shown addressing the membership after dinner. The annual meeting was hosted at Gallagher farms in Cedar. Aside from their farm the Gallagher family has developed a truly breathtaking venue for weddings and special events, called Bayview Weddings.
Thank you to Northwest Michigan County Farm Bureau for the opportunity to join, listen and learn about what is important to our farmers.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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Betsy Coffia IN THE NEWS
Coffia Joins Gov. Whitmer, MDARD Director Boring to Call for Disaster Declaration for Northwestern Michigan Cherry Crops
State Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) and MDARD Director Tim Boring spoke at a press conference today in Bryant Park. [...]
Rep. Coffia, Gov. Whitmer Celebrate Educator Housing Funding in Grand Traverse County
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and state Rep. Betsy Coffia standing with other state and community officials in front of the [...]
Legislators Celebrate BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
Lawmakers observe the unique challenges that affect the mental health of racial and ethnic minorities State Rep. Kimberly Edwards [...]
During Voter Preregistration Week, I'm happy to share that my bill, HB 4569, which Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law, will help empower young Michiganders to have their voices heard and be involved in the democratic process. Even though they won't be able to cast their first vote until they are 18, preregistration helps increase turnout for their first election, regardless of affiliation.
Every eligible Michigander deserves equitable access to registering to vote. Participating in the democratic process is an amazing responsibility, which is why my bill gave access to preregistration for 16 and 17-year-olds. ... See MoreSee Less
Michigan 16-year-olds can preregister to vote. Here's how.
www.freep.com
Michigan 16-year-olds can preregister to vote so they can head straight to the polls at 18. Here's what to do to preregister.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
My first stand-alone bill last year addressed the inequity in rural school busing. Before my bill, rural school districts like TCAPS and Benzie Central had to spend as much as 10% - 15% of their general budget on gas and repairs for their buses, which generally have to drive significantly larger square mile bus routes than downstate school districts.
This leads to less money going into programming and support for our students in the classroom, such as art, music, mental health support and college prep, compared to downstate schools. My bill proposed a per pupil, per mile equity formula, and I succeeded in getting it into the school aid budget with a $125 million allocation for rural schools, which we ensured remained in place again this year. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
At today's House 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony, I'm joined by Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea. Sheriff Shea and I believe in working hard for our communities, leading by example and working across the aisle starting when I was a county commissioner.
For the last several years we've advocated together on critical issues like addiction and mental health treatment as well as measures to increase safety on our roadways. I was honored to have him as my guest as we remember the lives lost on 9/11 and honor the first responders we've lost over the past year here in Michigan. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
As a former Grand Traverse County Commissioner, I was honored to give my mid-year budget update to the board and the community. I was proud to pass a state budget that is #PuttingPeopleFirst by encompassing the needs of northern Michigan.
I also brought $5 million home to better attract and retain school workers through a new affordable housing project for local educators, $1 million for the Boardman River FishPass and $3.2 million to expand Michigan’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) sites. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
To watch my full presentation, visit my website at: housedems.com/betsy-coffia/gallery/.
I want to say a special thank you to John Despelder and Heather Kingham for organizing this lovely birthday surprise after I spoke at yesterday’s wonderful nonpartisan Celebration of Democracy at F&M Park with hundreds of neighbors. And thank you to Keli McIntosh for the delicious birthday cupcakes! This community kindness fueled me for the rest of the day! 🧁♥️(pics in comments. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Birthday cupcakes! ♥️
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and I held a press conference last month to celebrate the passage of the fiscal year 2025 state budget and the inclusion of $5 million in state funding for affordable housing development for educators and school support staff in Grand Traverse County. My press release is below:
“Northern Michigan is grappling with a severe housing crisis, and that’s why creating more affordable housing in our communities has been my top priority since my first day in office,” Coffia said. “Not only does a lack of affordable housing have wide-reaching impacts on families and local businesses struggling to find workers, it also has a significant impact on our schools. There’s certainly more work to be done to fully address our region’s housing needs and to keep up our record investments in schools to get educators the raises they deserve, but this is a meaningful step in the right direction and will allow our schools to better attract and retain high-quality educators that will support our student’s success.”
The project will phase in affordable and mixed-income housing development to address the shortage of affordable housing available to educators and education support staff making 40%-80% of the area median income. The $5 million in state funding allocated toward the development will streamline and expedite the creation of at least 144 affordable and workforce housing units. Phase I will include the development of 72 one- and two-bedroom units, in addition to site preparation work on the 60- to 80-acre undeveloped property in Blair Township currently owned by Traverse City Area Public Schools. Subsequent phases will include the construction of additional units.
“I want to thank the leadership at TCAPS, Northwest Educational Services, Interlochen Center for the Arts and Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools for bringing this proposal to my attention, and Traverse Connect for stepping up to make this one of their top priorities,” Coffia continued. “Together, we brought this proposal to the members of the Appropriations committees and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office and advocated for its inclusion in the state budget all the way up to the budget vote in late June. State Representative John Roth (R-Interlochen) and state State Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) joined me in advocating hard for this critical project, and those bipartisan pushes were critical.”
“I was a big advocate for it in the Senate, but this was Rep. Coffia’s baby. There’s no question it was her top priority,” Damoose said when speaking with Interlochen Public Radio. “This is how it’s supposed to work. You hear so many good ideas, you wonder, are they ever going to actually happen? And this is one that’s going to actually happen.” ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
When elected, I will support these types of housing development projects in my district on Michigan’s west shore.
Chi Miigwetch to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians tribal council for hosting me today to discuss opportunities for partnership as we serve our constituents. We touched on everything from speed limit safety to housing to dam removal to water levels and support for growth of Manoomin. Shown left to right:
Anna Miller - Tribal Council Secretary
Angelina Raphael - Tribal Councilor
Tina Frankenberger - Tribal Council Treasurer
Sandra Witherspoon - Tribal Chairwoman
Betsy Coffia - State Representative, 103rd House District
Donna Swallows - Tribal Councilor ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
It was an honor to join Governor Gretchen Whitmer and State Senator John Damoose at Blair Elementary School - TCAPS to talk about the $5 million in funding I was able to bring home to create 72 affordable rental units for school employees. Northern Michigan is grappling with a severe housing crisis, and that's why creating more affordable housing in our communities has been my top priority since day 1 in office. When it comes to incoming educators fresh out of college, the reality is they can't afford a home. In Traverse City, the median home value is over $400,000, and the median rent is around $1,800 a month.
This funding couldn't have happened without the help from leadership and advocates at TCAPS, Northwest Educational Services, Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools. Traverse Connect stepped up to make this one of their top one-time budget asks. When our schools and businesses come together to better our community's future, we can make real, meaningful and lasting change.
There's certainly more work to be done to address our region's housing needs, but these investments are a step in the right direction! ... See MoreSee Less
Near Traverse City, Gov. Whitmer trumpets housing for school workers
radio.wcmu.org
Whitmer spoke on the playground of Blair Elementary School, just across the street from a planned development site for education workforce housing on land already owned by TCAPS.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Beautiful August evening to attend the Northwest Michigan County Farm Bureau annual meeting.
Chapter president David Dreves is shown addressing the membership after dinner. The annual meeting was hosted at Gallagher farms in Cedar. Aside from their farm the Gallagher family has developed a truly breathtaking venue for weddings and special events, called Bayview Weddings.
Thank you to Northwest Michigan County Farm Bureau for the opportunity to join, listen and learn about what is important to our farmers. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook